The Wisdom of God and Supreme Knowledge

The wisdom of God is the Source of true wisdom, and He grants it generously to those who sincerely seek wisdom, ask for it in faith, showing a wholesome, reverential fear of Him.(Prov 2:1-7; James 1:5-8) Divine wisdom in the absolute sense is found in God, who is “wise alone” in this sense. (Rom16:27) Knowledge is acquainted with fact, and, being the Creator, who is “from time indefinite to time indefinite” God knows all there is to know about the universe, its composition and contents.

God’s Wisdom emphasizes on sound judgment. It is based on knowledge and understanding; the ability to use knowledge and understanding successfully to solve problems, avoid or avert dangers, attain certain goals or to counsel others in doing so. Wisdom therefore implies a breath of knowledge and a depth of understanding, these giving the soundness and clarity of judgment is a characteristic of wisdom.

Understanding is the ability to see how the parts or aspects of something relate to one another. Seeing the entire matter and not just isolated facts, is understanding. Prov 9:10, In saying that “knowledge of the Most Holy One is what understanding is,” shows that true understanding of anything involves appreciation of its relation to God and His purposes. Because a person with understanding is able to connect new information to things he already knows, “knowledge is easy to him who understands.”

Understanding fortifies wisdom in other ways. For example, a person may obey a certain command of God, due to recognizing the rightness of such obedience, and this is wisdom on their part. But if that person gets true understanding of the reason for that command, the good purpose it serves and the benefits accruing from it, their heart’s determination to continue in that wise course is greatly strengthened. (Prov 14:33) A wise person with true understanding is happy to get any information that will grant him a clearer view into the underlying circumstances, conditions and causes of problems. Thereby he “gets knowledge” as to what to do regarding the matter, knows what conclusions to draw and what is needed to solve the existing problem. (Prov 9:9)

Intelligence is another major factor in God’s wisdom, the heart, which prominently relates to motivation and affection, is clearly a more important factor in gaining true wisdom. (Psalm 49:3-4, Prov: 14:33) God’s servant wants to get “sheer wisdom” in his “secret self,” have wise motivation in planning his life course. (Psalm 51:6; 90:12) The heart of the wise is at the right hand that is, ready to help and protect him at critical moments. (Psalm 109:31) The heart of the fool is at the left failing to give him the needed motivation.” (Eccl 10:2-3) The truly wise person has trained and disciplined his heart to give the proper motivation (Prov 23:19) it is as though he had written righteous commandments and law ‘upon the tablet of his heart.’ (Prov 7:1-3)

The wisdom of God is the ability to put knowledge to work or use it, the intelligent application of learning. A person might have considerable knowledge, but not know how to use it because of lacking wisdom. Therefore, knowledge and wisdom work together with understanding. Jesus linked wisdom with accomplishment in saying: “Wisdom is proved righteous by its works.” (Matt 11:19)

God’s grand purpose is founded on and centered in His Son, Christ Jesus “has become to us [Christians] wisdom from God.” (1Cor 1:30) In whom are hidden all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom. (Col 2:3) Only through Him and by faith in Him, God’s “Chief Agent of life,” can salvation and life be attained. (Acts3:15, John 14:6) There is, therefore, no true wisdom that fails to consider Jesus Christ, that does not base its judgment and decisions solidly on God’s purpose as revealed in Him.

Solomon asked for and received from God knowledge and wisdom. (2 Chron 1:10) In the case of two women who claimed the same child, Solomon had knowledge of a mother’s devotion to her child; he displayed wisdom by using his knowledge to settle the dispute. Solomon also found that, while such human wisdom produces varied pleasures and proficiency that brought material wealth, it could not bring true happiness or lasting satisfaction. The wise man died along with the stupid, not knowing what would become of his possessions, and his human wisdom ceased in the grave. (Eccl 2:3-11)

Solomon does not say human wisdom is utterly without value. Compared with mere foolishness, which he also investigated, the advantage of wisdom over folly is like that of ‘light over darkness.’ For the wise man’s eyes ‘are in his head,” serving his intellectual powers that in turn feed the heart, whereas the stupid man’s eyes do not see with thoughtful discernment. (Eccl 2:12-14) Wisdom offers a security of greater value than money. (Eccl 7: 11-12) But Solomon showed that its worth was all relative, entirely dependent on its conformity to God’s wisdom and purpose. (Eccl 2-24; 3:11-15; 8:12-13; 9:1)

A person can be excessive in striving to manifest the wisdom of God, pushing their self beyond the limits of their imperfect ability in a self-destructive course. (Eccl 7-16) But by obediently serving their Creator and being content with food, drink and the good that his hard work brings him, God will give him the needed “knowledge and wisdom” and rejoicing.” (Eccl 2:24-26) “Wisdom is the principal thing,” Prov 4:7) for without it knowledge is of little value. God abounds in and provides both knowledge and wisdom. (Rom11:33, James 1:5) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Prov 9:10)